The main protagonist is Dor who is the fictional inventor of the first clock in existence. However, his desire to measure time results in his punishment and exile in order to understand the significance of his actions. The book follows Dor’s desire to help others appreciate time before it becomes too late.

The book was met with mixed reviews. Some reviewers, including Jason Miller, claimed that the book ‘teaches us that being a time keeper is not the way to live." Albom himself stated that his desire and influence for this book stemmed from the lack of appreciation that people had for the time they had on this world.